Cipro & Toxic Epidermal Necrosis (“TEN”)

Cipro has been linked to toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN), which is a rare and potentially fatal medical disorder involving the skin and mucous membranes. Technically, TEN is an immune-complex-mediated hypersensitivity condition, which basically means it occurs due to an allergic reaction. While TEN is usually caused by an allergic reaction to drugs, such as Cipro, it can also be caused by a reaction to an infection or illness.

Cipro & Toxic Epidermal Necrosis (TEN) Symptoms

When caused by an adverse reaction to Cipro, toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN) usually develops one to three weeks after taking the drug. Initially, Cipro patients develop a rash. Then, a few days later, the rash turns into skin lesions. The skin lesions tend to coalesce, creating large blisters.

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A hallmark of TEN is epidermal detachment, meaning the infected patient’s skin starts to literally fall off in large sheets. Often, the affected area looks like an extensive burn. Due to this horrific side effect, TEN can be extremely morbid, possibly resulting in permanent scarring, blindness, or even death.

Cipro & TEN

When a Cipro patient TEN, the first step in treatment is to discontinue Cipro and any other medications that may be causing the disease. Eliminating the causative drug significantly reduces the mortality rate, especially if done before blisters occur. Because it can be difficult to determine exactly which drug may be causing the TEN, a treating doctor may recommend discontinuation of all nonessential medications.

Besides Cipro, TEN can be caused by various medications. In fact, TEN may be caused by both over-the-counter and prescription drugs, including:

antibiotics (penicillin and sulfas)

cough and cold medication

anticonvulsants

pain relievers (both prescription and over-the-counter)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

anti-gout drugs

If you or a family member took Cipro and experienced a serious side effect, such as TEN, please contact our experienced lawyers today to learn more about your legal rights.